Hope no one minds my shameless plug here, but I get a lot of questions about books to read if you’re interested in learning about volcanoes. There are an awful lot of good books out there and we can add one more to that list: Volcanoes: Global Perspectives” by Jack Lockwood and Rick Hazlett. I’ve been able to go through the book and it covers almost everything a volcanophile would want to know about volcanism on Earth and in the solar system – including some information I didn’t know (which isn’t a big surprise). It is written as a textbook for advanced undergraduates, but as along as you have some prior knowledge of basic geology or volcanology, you should get a lot out of the book.

Volcanoes: Global Perspectives.

Some words from Dr. Lockwood on the new book:

Dear Eruptionsblog afficionados:

After decades or work (we’re slow!) our book (VOLCANOES – Global Perspectives) is finally out! This was written both for students, and for geologists and “volcanophiles” needing an up-to-date reference book . Full-color, with over 300 photographs and figures. Our emphasis is on the global significance and environmental impact of volcanism, and on “Humanitarian Volcanology” – the relationships between volcanism and Society. Available from the Publisher and all leading bookstores. Autographed copies will be available next month at my “in revision” website.

Erik you are right, and I shamelessly support this book. I think this is one of the best volcanology text books to have been issued in a long time – I do love Hans-Ulrich Schmincke’s “Volcanism” but this one here is still more accessible, especially to non-expert readers.

Everybody interested in volcanoes should get this – the paperback version is less expensive than the hardcover one (still around 80 US$ but you get a lot for that money)

Thanks Erik ( and Boris for the supportive words and the paperback hinweis) for this bookreference.
As I was looking for a good book on Volcanism, this will be on top of my shoppinglist.( together with Schminke’s book)

Thanks again also for this outstanding blog, where I have learned a good deal in a relatively short time!

@Peter #7: Thanks, but no, I re-checked, it is Lockwood&Hazlett, Volcanoes: Global Perspectives (Paperback), ISBN 9781405162500.
It is 38EUR for me – maybe the price depends on where you are (since shipping is included in price)? I am in Ireland.

Erik and Boris, I’m glad you have recommended this book. I was checking it out as I get Volcano List Serve (I think that is what it is called) so I knew about it. I was wondering what you two would have to say.

I definitely want to get this book and I know it will cost a bundle, but, hey, great reference, great info and a lot to learn.

Aloha Erik and ERUPTIONS afficionados: Rick Hazlett and I are gratified by your positive comments on our book! Please pardon the high price – when the publisher decided to go full-color for photos and illustrations, costs rose unavoidably.

Erik wrote: “Maybe I can even con Dr. Lockwood into a Q&A here on Eruptions!” SURE – Fire away!

Preparing this book has taken decades – we learned a lot in the process, and our hope is that in some way, people will learn how to have better “relations” with volcanoes – and that maybe lives will be spared by work of future volcanologists who will learn from the book. My main motivation in writing the book can be surmised from the experience I documented on pp 413-414…..